Ask your doctor if sexual activity would cause a problem with your treatment. There are some general guidelines to consider: During recovery from surgery, intercourse can cause bleeding or strain the incision. Intimate contact may also increase chances of an infection. The time between surgery and resuming your sex life varies. This depends on the type of operation and your rate of healing. Your surgeon can tell you when it would be safe to try sexual activity again.
Some types of cancer, like cancer of the cervix or bladder, may cause bleeding in the genital area or urinary tract. If this bleeding becomes heavier after sex, cease intercourse until the bleeding has stopped.
It’s safest either to avoid sex or to be sure to use a condom during intercourse if you are still receiving chemotherapy. Continue to use it for a month after you’ve completed treatment. We are still unsure of what comes through in semen. Also the vagina, especially when aroused, is a highly absorptive organ. Wearing a condom, avoids the stinging sensation some women report. For women who can still have children, it also reduces the theoretical likelihood of foetal damage should any chemicals be absorbed.
During chemotherapy, a person with an infusion catheter sometimes worries that sexual activity will disturb it. As long as you take care not to rub against the dressing, sexual activity should not present a problem.
When you are being treated for cancer, there are often times when your immune system is not working as well as it should. This may happen during radiotherapy or chemotherapy. At such times, you may be at higher risk for infections. Ask your doctor if sexual contact poses too much threat of infection. Also, ask for advice on kissing, cuddling, or sexual touching.
Bacteria that can start an infection in the urinary tract or genital area can be washed away by urinating a few minutes after sex.
You can reduce your chances of getting an infection if your partner wears a condom. The spermicide on the condom also seems to fight bacteria and some viruses. If a woman's vagina is irritated from chemotherapy, foams or jellies may make the problem worse and be painful. Lubricants should be used to help with vaginal moisture |
